For the first time, an Indian Students’ Day was organised at the residence of the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, Venu Rajamony, on 23 September. A decision was taken to create an Indian Students’ Association (ISA) for the Netherlands.
The Indian Students’ Day was attended by around 100 students from universities such as Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, Erasmus University, Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research Centre, University of Groningen, Tilburg University, International Institute of Social Studies, Utrecht University, Vrije University, University of Amsterdam and University of Twente. These universities are based in different cities of the Netherlands such as Eindhoven, Tilburg, Groningen, Wageningen, Leiden, Delft, Rotterdam, Enschede, Amsterdam and The Hague.
Over 2,500 Indian students are estimated to currently study in leading Dutch universities and research centres, which are among the best in the world. Disciplines of study include subjects such as engineering, agriculture, management, environmental sciences, applied sciences, law, international relations, economics, public policy, and water technology. Out of the top 150 universities on the world, Netherlands is home to eight, according to the QS World University rankings.
Participants in the Indian Students’ Day decided that ISA NL will in future also invite alumni as well as faculty from India for such gatherings. ISA NL will create an ecosystem for enabling Indian students connect with the business community for internships and jobs.
Among other activities, ISA NL proposes to showcase research work and significant projects of Indian students, setting up of a platform for students to discuss and share job and internship opportunities as well as support new students from India, mobilising students to publicise the achievements of India, including its culture and diversity and challenging stereotypes about India amongst the people of Netherlands. A core-committee was formed consisting of representatives of the students along with officials of the Indian Embassy and Dutch branch of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham, Netherlands).
The students were addressed by Ambassador Venu Rajamony and Vikas Chaturvedi and Prachi Mishra from Assocham, Netherlands.